Lot G is the one worth knowing
At $14 a day with 30% off stays of six days or more, the long-term lot is less than half the price of the standard lots. It is the right answer for any trip of a week or more. Checked 20 September 2026.
CBX Parking Guide
Seven lots, two pricing seasons, and a long-term lot most people never find.
Last updated
Quick answer
Cross Border Xpress runs its own parking in Otay Mesa, and the price gap between the lots is large. At the rates published when we checked, long-term Lot G is $14 a day with 30% off stays of six days or more; the standard lots sit around $25 to $27 a day reserved; VIP covered and close-in parking runs about $30 to $37; and valet is $39 to $45 a day reserved. Rates change with the season — CBX runs regular and high-season pricing — and booking ahead is cheaper than driving up at every tier, typically by two to three dollars a day. Valet includes kerbside drop-off, round-the-clock security and, on request, a free five-hour EV charge on stays of two days or more. If you are flying for a week or more, the long-term lot with the multi-day discount is the obvious answer; for a two-night trip, being dropped off or using the CBX shuttle usually beats any lot. Parking is charged separately from your CBX crossing ticket.
CBX parking rates when we checked
| Option | Reserved online | Drive-up | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term Lot G | $14 a day, 30% off for stays of 6 days or more | Same lot, book ahead | Week-long and longer trips |
| Standard lot | $25 a day | $26 a day | Short trips where you still want to park |
| Lots B and C | $27 a day | $29–$36 depending on the lot | When the cheaper lots are full |
| VIP, Lot A open or Lot D covered | $30 a day regular season, $37 high season | $33 regular season | Shade and a short walk to the doors |
| Valet | $39 regular season, $45 high season | $42 regular, $48 high | Kerbside handover, late-night returns |
Where to stay nearby
Rates and availability change daily, so we link the guide rather than quote a price. Each page compares walkable, short-drive and budget options with parking and resort fees called out.
- San Diego Vrbo GuideLodging guide for this area.
- Hotel Del Coronado GuideLodging guide for this area.
- San Diego Airbnb GuideLodging guide for this area.
- Hotels where parking is includedParking is the hidden line on a San Diego hotel bill.
- Where to stay in San DiegoPick your base first — neighborhood decides most of your trip.
Choosing a lot
Reserve rather than drive up
Every tier is cheaper booked in advance — usually two to three dollars a day, more on valet. On a ten-day trip that is real money, and it guarantees the space on a busy holiday weekend.
High season costs more
CBX prices in two seasons. Valet at the top of high season is $48 a day driving up, against $39 reserved in regular season — a $9 daily swing for the same car in the same place.
Valet is not just convenience
Valet includes kerbside drop-off and 24-hour security, and CBX offers a free five-hour EV charge on request for stays of two days or more. If you are flying back at 1am with children asleep in the car, it earns its premium.
Covered parking matters in Otay Mesa
Lot D is the covered VIP option. Otay Mesa summers are inland-hot and these lots have little shade — worth the few dollars if the car will sit for a week in July.
Cheaper than parking at all
The CBX shuttle
CBX runs its own shuttle service linking the terminal to San Diego and cities as far out as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix, operating 8am to 2am. CBX publishes fares ranging from $6 to $25 depending on the route.
Being dropped off
For a two or three-night trip, a drop-off is almost always cheaper than any lot. Taxis are available at the terminal for the return; no official ride-hail fare is published for the run out to Otay Mesa.
Wheels by CBX
CBX also offers a private transfer service bookable through its site. Rates are not published, so you will need a quote.
No shuttle from San Diego airport
There is no officially published CBX shuttle from San Diego International. If you are connecting from a SAN flight, plan on a ride-hail or the CBX shuttle from a downtown pickup point.
Before you go
How CBX itself works
Tickets, passport and boarding-pass rules, timing, and when flying out of Tijuana beats San Diego.
Compare with airport parking
San Diego International's plazas are $40 a day. For a week-long trip that is the number CBX's long-term lot is competing against.
Driving across instead
If you are not flying, CBX is not for you — it is only open to air passengers with a flight within 24 hours.
Border waits, in context
The CBX bridge is not the same queue as San Ysidro or Otay Mesa, which is most of why people pay for it.
How to check this before you rely on it
- • All rates come from Cross Border Xpress's own parking page, checked 20 September 2026, with the high-season tier live at the time of checking.
- • CBX prices in regular and high seasons and changes rates without much notice. Confirm the price on the booking screen before you set off — an older CBX page still advertises parking 'as low as $15 a day'.
- • Shuttle fares and the 8am to 2am operating window come from CBX's own services page. Wheels by CBX transfer rates are not published.
- • Parking is billed separately from your CBX crossing ticket.
Frequently asked
How much is parking at CBX?
It depends on the lot and the season. When we checked, long-term Lot G was $14 a day with 30% off stays of six days or more, standard lots were $25 to $27 a day reserved, VIP was around $30 to $37, and valet ran $39 to $48 depending on season and whether you booked ahead.
What is the cheapest CBX parking?
Long-term Lot G at $14 a day, and it drops a further 30% on stays of six days or more. If you are away for a week, that is the lot to book.
Is CBX parking cheaper than San Diego airport parking?
For longer trips, considerably. San Diego International's terminal plazas are $40 a day, while CBX's long-term lot starts at $14 with a multi-day discount. That only matters, of course, if your flight actually leaves from Tijuana.
Does CBX have valet parking?
Yes. Valet runs $39 to $48 a day depending on the season and whether you reserved, and includes kerbside drop-off and 24-hour security. CBX also offers a free five-hour EV charge on request for stays of two days or more.
Can you get to CBX without a car?
Yes. CBX operates its own shuttle service between the terminal and San Diego and other cities, running 8am to 2am with fares CBX publishes as $6 to $25 depending on route. Taxis serve the terminal, and CBX also sells a private transfer service.
Do you pay for CBX parking separately from the ticket?
Yes. Your CBX crossing ticket and your parking are two separate charges, so a cheap crossing ticket is only half the cost of driving there.
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